Louis williams



(No Model.)

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m: NORRIS PETERS c ov. wwomumu. 'wAsmua-rou a c NITED STATES PATENTFFICE.

LOUIS WILLIAMS, OF ROME, NEl/V YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ISAAC J.EVANS, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,384, dated April27', 1897.

Application filed May 20, 1896- Serial No. 592,346. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rome, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Bicyole-Lock, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to bicycle-locks; and the object in view is toprovide a small keylock which is attached permanently to the frame ofthe machine and forms a part thereof, the lock being constructed andarranged in such manner as that when worked by the key the handle-barand steering-wheel will be made rigid with the frame of the machine, thekey being thereupon removable. When the steering apparatus is unlockedand in operative condition, the key itself is held in the lock andprevented from accidental dis- 2o placement and also from rattling.

The invention consists in a bicycle-lock embodying'certain novelfeatures and details of construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointedout in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of asufficient portion of a bicycle to illustrate the application of theimproved lock thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section throughthe head of the machine, showing the operation of the lock. Fig. 3 is adetail perspective view of the lockcase detached and looking toward theinside 3 5 thereof. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the lockbolt andspring-plate. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the key.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the 0 drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the head-tube of abicycle-frame, 2 the forkstem revolubly mounted therein, and 3 thehandle-bar stem mounted in the upper end of 5 the fork-stem.

The lock-case 4 is riveted, brazed, or otherwise secured, preferably, tothe rear side of the head-tube 1 at a point intermediate the junction ofthe upper horizontal bar and the reach-bar therewith, as shown inFig. 1. The lock-case is for convenience made in the form of arectangular box, and the inner wall of the case is curved to conform tothe exterior curvature of the head-tube, so as to fit snugly against thesame, and the case is also provided with extended flanges 5, by which along bearing is had against the head-tube and for affording an increasedarea of freezing-surface or for providing ears by which the lock-casemay be conveniently riveted to 6;) the head-tube. At a pointintermediate the front and rear edges of the lock-case is a cross-Web 6,having therein near one end an opening 7 for the lock-bolt and providedwith two or more slots 8, through which the bits of the key may work.One of the end walls of the lock-case is provided with a key-slot 9 andthe other wall opposite thereto has an opening 10, forming a bearing forthe stem of the key. The key (indicated at 11) when inserted in the lockworks upon the inside of the web 6 or between said web and the headtube,while the bits of the key Work through the slots 8.

Arranged outsideof the web 6 is a springplate 12, secured at one endrigidly to the lock-case and provided at its free end witha lock-bolt13, which reciprocates through the opening 7 and also through an opening14 in the head-tube and is adapted to enter a socket or opening 15 inthe fork-stem for locking the latter against turning. A plate 16 closesthe rear end of the lock-case and hides the looking mechanism from viewand prevents access thereto.

By inserting the key in the lock and turning the same the bits of thekey operate against the spring-plate, moving the same backward andwithdrawing the bolt from engagement with the fork-stem, thus allowingthe latter 0 to turn freely. In this position the key is held fast inthe lock, and the tension of the spring-plate against the key preventsits escape and also prevents it from rattling. When the key is insertedin the lock and turned, the spring 12 is pressed against the plate 16and the back pressure of the spring serves to bind the key in the lockand prevent its accidental displacement. When the rider desires to lockthe machine, he simply turns the key and withdraws it from the look,when by turning the steering-Wheel to the proper point the lock-boltwill snap into the opening in the fork-stein and prevent thesteering-wheel from being turned. While the bicycle is in this conditionit will be impossible for anyone to ride the machine, and thus theliability of the same being stolen is reduced to a minimum.

It will be apparent that by varying the location and distance apart ofthe slots 8 and the bits on the key an unlimited number of differentkeys may be made, no two alike, and a person must have a key of theproper shape before he can unlock the machine.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. Thecombination with two telescopic bars arranged to rotate onewithin theother and provided with openings adapted to be brought into alinem ent,of a spring-plate arranged externally thereof and having a lock-bolt atits free end for entering said openings, an inclosing case for saidspring and bolt having a keyhole arranged to admit the key between thespring and outer bar, and a fixed web or partition Within said casebetween said spring and outer bar, said web having an opening for thekey-bit, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a head tube and fork-ste1n of a bicycle, of alock-case having rigid connection with the headtube, a web locatedwithin the lock-case and havin g apertures for the lock-bolt andkey-bits, a springplate arranged within the lock-case, and a lock-boltcarried by the free end of the springplate and working through openingsin the head-tube and fork-stem, the key being insertible between thespringplate and the head-tube, substantially as described.

I11 testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LOUIS \VILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK Lnwrs, CHARLES R. LEWIS.

